MOST TALKED ABOUT WOMEN in 2009

Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Sonia Sotomayor topped the list of the most talked-about women of 2009.

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

Writer

Posted Dec. 22, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 22, 2009 at 10:16 PM

Posted Dec. 22, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 22, 2009 at 10:16 PM

» Social News

OPRAH WINFREY

Media mogul and humanitarian, Oprah Winfrey has been called the most influential woman in the world. In November, a teary-eyed Oprah announced during a broadcast that her long-running daytime talk show would end in 2011 so she could concentrate on creating a cable channel. There is no denying her dominance.

SARAH PALIN

A prominent figure of politics and pop culture, Palin surprisingly resigns as governor of Alaska then pens “Going Rogue,” her memoir that became a best-seller when it was released Nov. 17.

MICHELLE OBAMA

In her freshman year as first lady, Obama moved to a new home in a new city; transitioned two daughters into a new school, visited eight countries, got a dog, planted a garden and started a mentoring program. She was also a Vogue cover girl and Barbara Walter’s most fascinating person of the year.

SONIA SOTOMAYOR

Sotomayor was sworn in as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court in August. She’s the nation’s 111th justice – and just the third woman in the court’s history.

“I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences,” Sotomayor said about the nomination.

RIHANNA

In February the pop singer is brutally beaten by her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown. She later becomes a voice against domestic violence. “My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is

that people can learn from that,” she told Glamour magazine.

SUSAN BOYLE

A 48-year-old Scottish woman becomes an overnight YouTube sensation when she belts out “I Dreamed a Dream” on “Britain’s Got Talent.” Her recently released album sold more copies in its first week than any other in 2009. Wow.

KATE GOSSELIN

Mother-of-eight and reality TV star, Gosselin finally divorces husband Jon. The high-profile split made headlines all year and boosted the ratings of “Jon and Kate Plus 8” to an all-time high for cable network TLC. A show for Kate is slated to debut in the spring.

NADYA SULEMAN

Suleman gives birth to octuplets, which expand the single mom’s brood to 14 and earn her the moniker “Octomom.” She took up too much air time and magazine covers not to make our list. Next up for her? Wait for it ... a reality show.

NANCY PELOSI

From her post as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pelosi has grown from the first woman to hold that position to one of the most recognizable and powerful women in politics.

Page 2 of 2 -
HILLARY CLINTON

She shows up on virtually every “who’s who” women’s list for a reason – she never stops. So what if she didn’t win the presidency? As U.S. Secretary of State, the former first lady and senator has the world by its you-know-what. She travels the world to meet with heads of state and international policy makers, cementing her rep as a major player.